User Reviews

The story revolves around two different high school students. Shizuku Mizutani is an emotionally stunted study bug, who only cares about grades, and will do anything to keep up with her classes. Haru Yoshida is a particularly interesting combination of defiant delinquent (See what I did there?), and disused genius. The two meet through unusual circumstances, and end up teaching each other a thing ...

The story revolves around two different high school students. Shizuku Mizutani is an emotionally stunted study bug, who only cares about grades, and will do anything to keep up with her classes. Haru Yoshida is a particularly interesting combination of defiant delinquent (See what I did there?), and disused genius. The two meet through unusual circumstances, and end up teaching each other a thing or two about life.
Short Version:
Tells a more realistic rom com story, instead of pandering non-sense. The music perfectly matches the tone, and is very enjoyable. The humor is used as a powerful plot device, but isn't that good. It is really slow, which is only bad because it is so short. The ending just kind of cut out. Overall, a definitive watch.
Long Version:
It defies the conventions of regular Rom-Com, by refusing to pander to the audience with an overly-relatable character, that magically gets to choose from a harem of perfect girls. It instead opts for a more realistic approach, while still maintaining the charm of a Rom-Com. The characters are (generally) well defined and appropriately relatable, while providing enough conflict for the story to move along smoothly, and being extremely likable.
The intro song (Q&A recital!) is absolutely perfect. It matches the feel of the anime nicely, and the visuals that go along feel a lot like a music video for the song. The ending song (White Wishes), is a calm melody. The art used during the ending is drawn significantly different. It really creates a feeling of tranquillity, that is great for
The humor is hit and miss, but is utilized as an effective plot device, changing the focus and atmosphere around when needed, while not being used during serious scenes. It adds to the story, without becoming the story.
There are only three problems that deserve a mention. The first is that is that the story is, quite frankly, really slow. There are times when one or two episodes could pass, and nothing has changed between the main characters. The only reason that this is a problem, is that there are only 13 episodes, which means that they have to tell a complete story in a small amount of time, so it's problematic when the story moves slowly.
Which leads us to the biggest problem, the ending. The end was heartbreaking, not because of a big action one of the characters did, but instead just the opposite. It ended so anti-climactically, that most of the endings of regular episodes were more exciting. There were so many questions left unanswered. I really hope that they release more.
The pros definitively outweigh the cons, I strongly urge everyone wishing to find a good anime rom-com without pandering to watch this.

Honestly I only watched it all just to say I did, I was done after episode 4 when she when he went from loving her to her loving him to him not loving hr then loving her with her not loving him no and yeah this went on for 4 or more episodes and it was stupid, she has no emotion and even if she was honest she often said nothing the Anime just did not go anywhere. The ending... I ended the same way ...

Honestly I only watched it all just to say I did, I was done after episode 4 when she when he went from loving her to her loving him to him not loving hr then loving her with her not loving him no and yeah this went on for 4 or more episodes and it was stupid, she has no emotion and even if she was honest she often said nothing the Anime just did not go anywhere. The ending... I ended the same way it started, IDK if I love him for real blah blah blah, just an emotionless robot with a bad hard-drive. She gets pissed because he dose better in school and he studied during the time he was out of school so it's explained yet she can't get past him being better then her, witch is sad instead of asking for help she just drags this out into the most boring Anime I have ever seen.

So I was just surfing the net without a care of my preliminary examinations that were awaiting me the following week when I had an epiphany-I haven't tried out the slice-of-life-rom-com genre in quite a while. There are tons to choose from and I mean TONS but good ones have never really crept into the wide domain that is animedom. Its a safe bet, then, that you should go for the more popular ones. ...

So I was just surfing the net without a care of my preliminary examinations that were awaiting me the following week when I had an epiphany-I haven't tried out the slice-of-life-rom-com genre in quite a while. There are tons to choose from and I mean TONS but good ones have never really crept into the wide domain that is animedom. Its a safe bet, then, that you should go for the more popular ones. Couldn't be that bad...or could it?

Tonari no Kaibatsu-kun (or My Little Monster) is a winter 2012 anime done by studio Brains Base and tells the tale of the Nibutani Shizuku- a down-to-earth girl who has absolutely no interest in anything except studying and studying and a bit more studying...Asians. One day, while being all moppy and all, she is tasked by the teacher to deliver printouts to the class delinquent- a boy by the name of Yoshida Haru. After the initial meeting where I should dock some points for domestic violence, Haru misunderstands Shizuku's intentions of being a "friend who delivers notes to a sick classmate" sort of thing and Nibutani is horrified and vows never to have to deal with him again. But fate plays out some nasty hands and the two start a relationship with a journey of self-discovery and making friends.

Or that's what my initial thoughts were. One of the first problems I could see about the anime is that it dawdles a lot. What little of a story isn't focused. It turns attention in one episode to Shizuku and her thoughts on the situation and quickly reverses to a sub-plot of another character even though it doesn't add anything much. The synopsis given for this anime only tells 30% of the story- the part where they say Shizuku and Haru date and fall in love and stuff. Those really important bits like kissing and such are sort of thrown in without regard- like it was just put in for the sake of creating a romance anime. In fact, I would much rather not have this be a romance and be a normal slice of life with minimal romance. It sounds stupid considering this romance drives much of the show but it is just far too distracted and mis-paced.

The characters were a major disappointment. Our female protagonist- Shizuku- is aptly nicknamed "dry ice" because she really is like that. She wants to be independent and strong woman like her strict mother and earn a ten million yen annual income (check first episode for proof) but that's no reason to be that apathetic about the world. Seriously, this causes some of the most excruciating scenes where she is just too much of a pacifist to act- which only causes the anime to slow down into more unnecessary drama than usual. Her motives are never clearly revealed and I'm serious when I say that the chicken in the show is far more of a character than her. Haru, the male protagonist, does have more substance then his female counterpart but his character is far too predicable and single-minded. His violent temperament and "quick-to-act" nature is supposed to contrast to the ice cream-chilled Shizuku and it was actually quite fun seeing him grow with some maturity over the show but there's not much else.

Other characters? Pfft honestly, who cares? I was so sad that the side characters weren't more than what they were in the show. There's Natsume Asako who is introduced as a klutz in the real world who can't do anything right but is an excellent advice-giver on the net. Sasahara Sohei is a pretty popular boy in class who usually gets caught up in the relationship struggle that is Shizuku and Haru but doesn't mind much and keeps things cool. There's also the so-obviously-not-the-love-rival Yamaguchi Kenji wh is a "friend" of Haru and totally has no interest in Shizuku. The reason why I don't describe them too much in depth is because the anime doens't give us much and hops far too quickly without letting each character resolve their own inner turmoils- which were actually pretty interesting. I wanted to know more about their feelings and motivations but it's mostly scoped over in favour of returning to Shizuku and Haru.

Now, I actually get what most of the characters are doing. The inaction from Shizuku and everyone else is perfectly reasonable and is more realistic than the "boy-meets-girl-and-like-each-other-instantly" sort of thing. It's just that they should at least be given some proper and fitting ending for each of the characters (no news on a second season yet). Other than that, there isn't anything else that is really wrong with the anime. It was pretty enjoyable for it's genre and really had some sweet moments where it feels honest. It's very rare, however, and you'll find a moment like that only once every few episodes but it's enough to make it memorable.

The animation is pretty average. There aren't places where it shines but no places where things go wrong either. The OP is one of the best showcases for the animation with a festivity of colours and an addictive song by Tomatsu Haruka to boot. Overall, pretty average. Same with the music. I swear that I have heard some of the background tracks from some other place I've forgotten. It goes well with the slice-of-life genre but nothing truly impressive.

Overall, Tonari no Kaibatsu-kun is a decent show if you give it a try. It isn't really the best piece of work a studio like Brains Base can do and I hope they can refine this genre. The characters may not be the best and the story is taking medication that wasn't prescribed to it but it is pretty different from the myriad of other generic slice-of-life anime in it's own way. For recommendations I would go for the quick-paced Chuunibyou for some slice-of life contrast and the manga LAST GAME to anyone who wants a sort of similar story that is set in university where life is better...

This series kept me pretty entertained. I really want to make a point about the fluctuation of the feelings of characters like Haru and Shizuku throughout the series. I would describe it as a roller coaster ride and to some it might come off as annoying, but to me it makes perfect sense for a series like this. I liked how this anime didn't play the game of how normally one character is devoted and ...

This series kept me pretty entertained. I really want to make a point about the fluctuation of the feelings of characters like Haru and Shizuku throughout the series. I would describe it as a roller coaster ride and to some it might come off as annoying, but to me it makes perfect sense for a series like this. I liked how this anime didn't play the game of how normally one character is devoted and loving and by the end gets to be with the one they loved because they kept trying and trying to prove their love. In My Little Monster you see characters who never know exactly what to do with their personal feelings and thus comes said fluctuation. Most episodes vary with a lot of give and take between Haru and Shizuku who both are characters that constantly go through many emotional highs and lows. For example there are times when Shizuku becomes very emotional and open to love and before you know it she preforms a 180 by the next episode and it goes back and forth with characters like Haru as well. I really enjoyed watching these moments because I feel the series captured the bipolar feelings that come with discovering love itself at such a young age mixed in with many real world and emotional problems every character faces.

Either way there are a lot of funny moments that just about any anime fan can enjoy. This would be a 5 out of 5 regarding that we had a better sense of conclusion. The series itself is pretty wide open for the time being and if it ever gets a second season then it might get bumped up to a 5 rather than a 4, but for now with no conclusion leading up to an empty climax I can't say I'm full satisfied. i want to see more just like many others have said.

This anime was not what I expected. It actually was funny as hell. I laughed during the first episode. I loved the undecisiveness of the lead female character. I wish there was a bit more romance (kissing of course) But I watched the whole series in one day and I wish there were a part two. Because there was somethings that was left in the air. You will have to watch to find out.

So this anime is quite short but it has such a great message that I was surprised and both happy to find finally in an anime/manga. The necessity of human connections and the balance of responsibilities but overall to chill out and do what you can. it's very funny the characters are lovable and overall really liked it. I wish it had more seasons It is quite addictive.

I love this show I wish they made more episodes. I hope they do soon, this is a good show and when was this made and when was the thirteenth episode made like what year? please tell me if you know. thank you for making this show who ever made this show.

Honestly I am only writing this review now, long after I first watched it when it originally simulcast. And even well over a year later this show still feels fresh in my mind. All of the characters are likeable, even the people who are supposed to be bad have something to like in their personality to balance them out. This show made me laugh, cry, and then run out to find the manga when the show ...

Honestly I am only writing this review now, long after I first watched it when it originally simulcast. And even well over a year later this show still feels fresh in my mind. All of the characters are likeable, even the people who are supposed to be bad have something to like in their personality to balance them out. This show made me laugh, cry, and then run out to find the manga when the show ended. Out of all the shows that I wish got a second season this one is still near the top of my list.

My Little Monster. This show was fantastic! It will give you a bit of everything you crave, and then some! Have you ever seen a character with a pet rooster that he kidnapped? This show was so oddball that I had to just continue watching. One moment, your fixation could be on the love and relationship aspect of the show.... and in the next moment, there is a vicious fight and a fun loving rooster. ...

My Little Monster. This show was fantastic! It will give you a bit of everything you crave, and then some! Have you ever seen a character with a pet rooster that he kidnapped? This show was so oddball that I had to just continue watching. One moment, your fixation could be on the love and relationship aspect of the show.... and in the next moment, there is a vicious fight and a fun loving rooster.
Aside from that, I would've like to see more development of their relationship after episode 13. I guess that part is left up to the imagination!

At first I was intrigued by the fact the show didn't seem like a usual shoujo. I was even surprised the anime seemed to dispense with the usual cliche of love taking 26 episodes to come to fruition. And because this show didn't follow the particular shoujo formula, I was intrigued to watch. I could only make it to episode 11. I personally feel this show was too annoying. I really wanted to see how ...

At first I was intrigued by the fact the show didn't seem like a usual shoujo. I was even surprised the anime seemed to dispense with the usual cliche of love taking 26 episodes to come to fruition. And because this show didn't follow the particular shoujo formula, I was intrigued to watch. I could only make it to episode 11. I personally feel this show was too annoying. I really wanted to see how Haru's and Shizuku's relationship would develop and now I see I would've had more fun watching a tennis match with all the f*cking back and forth going on in this show! I'm not sure what annoys me most the fact that one protagonist shows signs of a bipolar disorder while the other acts like a f*cking robot. Correction; a wishy-washy robot. I watched so I could better understand them as two people becoming a couple, but unfortunately I was thinking the whole time "Just...no". Natsume and Sasayan I feel have a way more interesting love story to tell and that's really following the shoujo formula.
I see other people have found joy in this show but for me it was trampled on with all the BS that happened. If you're someone looking for a new anime to watch give this show a try and maybe you'll find a liking to it where I could not.

About the Show

Impassive girl meets trouble maker in a brand new love story!
After Mizutani Shizuku, a girl whose sole interest is studying, is asked
Impassive girl meets trouble maker in a brand new love story!
After Mizutani Shizuku, a girl whose sole interest is studying, is asked to deliver some handouts to Yoshida Haru, a boy who hasn't come to school after spilling blood on the first day, she finds herself the target of his affection.
This is a story about a boy and a girl who struggle with love and friendship.
Opening yourself up to other people forces you to be honest with yourself. ...more